Newly diagnosed today

No need to be frightened. Someone will be along with links to give you loads of information, I can't link on my phone.

Welcome to the forum, loads of experience and support here.

Read around and ask questions.

I was diagnosed type 2 last year - and this forum has helped me so much.
I have cut out a lot of the food I used to eat & I keep an eye on my sugar level before & after meals.
My sugar level is around 6 before meals and around 8.5 after meals - if it goes up more - then the food I ate wasn't good for me.
So don't worry - and welcome to the forum

Hi @Sarahswim and welcome.

You might find this information helpful: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/basic-information-for-newly-diagnosed-diabetics.17088/

Have a good read and ask as many questions as you like.

Did the doctor tell you what your HbA1c was? It would be helpful for you to know that - and congratulations on already finding the best source of support on the web.

Hi Sarahswim. I was in same position last week and it is a frightening and confusing thing to take in initially. Not helped by lockdown and not being referred to Diabetes seminars you normally would attend.Saying that I've learnt loads on here and 6 days since I was confirmed things seem brighter. I hope you find the knowledge to best fit your battle against this.

You can fix this. I got diagnosed about a year ago. Had normal A1C levels within 3 or 4 months.

Sarahswim said:

Hi
Last year in June I was 48 it turns out I am now 98.
Have no idea what that all means.
Thanks

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That'd be your HbA1c, the average of about 3 months worth of blood glucose. 48 was the exact bordercorssing of prediabetic to diabetic, 98 is thoroughly diabetic. Though some would say prediabetic is just a diabetic who's not as bad yet, really. I'm sorry they didn't help you in June, you wouldn't've gotten to the point where you got symptomatic, but that's water under the bridge.

Anyway, here's everything I wish someone'd told me about T2 in a nutshell, and foods specifically, when i was just diagnosed and scared out of my mind. Turns out, this T2 thing is quite manageable! (And from all my conditions, the only one I have a say in.) https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html

It comes down to, get yourself a meter and cut carbs. That's the gist of it. And that way you'll get your blood glucose back into the normal range in no time at all, even without medication.

Good luck!
Jo

Sarahswim said:

Last year in June I was 48 it turns out I am now 98.
Have no idea what that all means.

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Hi @Sarahswim

As @JoKalsbeek says, that means you’ve moved from being just in the diabetic range to well inside it. The two charts below will give you a bit more information. They’re taken from this page on this website if you want to do a bit more reading: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1c.html

But don’t panic, many of us on here have taken control of our diabetes by changing what we eat - in my own case my HbA1c was 108 when diagnosed, dropped into the non-diabetic range within 6 or 7 months and has remained there for almost 3 years now.

In addition to the link Jo provided, take a look at dietdoctor.com for ideas on what to eat, recipes etc and do get yourself a blood glucose testing meter. I’m tagging @Rachox for information on this.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Well done for asking for help
Hopefully there are enough posts here for you to feel informed and optimistic- Type 2 diabetes is serious and can be reversed.
You may feel ashamed of yourself, but that it is a toxic myth that the food companies have promoted for years. The Book The Blood Sugar Fix by Dr Mike Dow explains the viscous circle that occurs once your diet is high in carbohydrates,
It is worth following threads about ‘false hypos’
Good luck and stay curious

Thanks for the tag @Goonergal
Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.

Spirit Healthcare have a meter with cheap strips, the Tee2 + found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/ with the strips found here:

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-testing-strips/

Some members have got a free Tee2+ by phoning up to order, with a large order of strips they often throw the meter in for free:

Phone number 0800 8815423

With more expensive strips is their Caresens Dual which I currently use, this one has the advantage of glucose and ketone testing in one machine, it’s to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/collections/caresens-dual



Home Health have recently bought out this one, but I haven’t heard any reviews yet, links to strips and the meter: (See also latest* from HH below regarding discounts for the Navii):

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/gluconavii-blood-sugar-meter-glucose-monitor-starter-kit/

*The latest news from Home Health states:

"We have a special promotion for switching Codefree customers to the GlucoNavii, whereby if you buy a meter with 2 or more packs of strips from the below link and add the discount code "dcuk" at checkout, we will subtract the price of the meter.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/

There are also discount codes for when you come to buy more strips - "navii5" and "navii10" will give you 20% off purchases of 5 packs of strips and 25% off 10 packs of strips respectively (these are printed on a business card supplied with the meter like with the Codefree).

Please note that the 20% discount off 5 packs of strips has already been applied to the meter plus 5 strips price if you buy from the above link.”


And to be totally transparent I used to use the SD Code Free from Home Health which has the cheapest strips available if bought in quantities of 5 or 10 pots with the codes below. However I found it to be becoming less and less reliable. Here it is for anyone wanting to give it a go, just bear in mind it seems they are replacing it with the Navii, details above.

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/

and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/

There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

Sarahswim said:

Hi,
I found out today I have type 2.

I went for a blood test on Friday as I had had a few symptoms over the last few weeks and the Dr called this morning to tell me.

She said I would me going on medication and would need to see the Diabetic nurse.

I am looking for some advice really as I have no idea what to expect and I am a little bit frightened.

Thank you

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Hi Sarah,
I haven’t been on the forum for while, but I thought I would have a go at alleviating some of your fears.
True to say that learning how to deal with your new situation will be scary, but try to stay positive.
I have had Type 1 since I was eight months old and have just had my 74th birthday. I have tried to live my life seeing diabetes is something I have got NOT who I am.
I have loved sport etc all my life and enjoyed many sports through my life. This has not always been easy getting the balance right and have had some scary moments with hypos, but you learn through experience how to get that balance. I am currently a Pilates instructor teaching five classes a week (when lockdown is ended).
Diabetes is a pain in the bum but doesn’t stop you living a full and active lifestyle.
I am fortunate to have a fabulous wife who has been there for me, thee adult children and six grandchildren none of them having diabetes.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Ray


Edited by moderator for clarity

Just adding to the chorus: don't panic, don't be scared.
T2 diabetes shouldn't be taken lightly, but it can definitely be managed, and managed by measures with are comfortable and good for you all around- it's not all bad.

Caprock94 said:

You can fix this. I got diagnosed about a year ago. Had normal A1C levels within 3 or 4 months.

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What was your A1C level initially if you don't mind answering please? Mine was 121 and 16.2 bs at confirmation.The thought I could lower my readings as rapidly as you is very appealing

Craigmartin said:

What was your A1C level initially if you don't mind answering please? Mine was 121 and 16.2 bs at confirmation.The thought I could lower my readings as rapidly as you is very appealing

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Using the American system, I was at 8.5% last April. 5.9% 3 months later. 5.2% 3 months later, and 5.2% 3 months after that. No meds, just a total change in diet. I didn't go full keto, but very low carb. Probably around 40 to 50 carbs a day. Lost 30 pounds. I now eat around 80 carbs a day on average.

Caprock94 said:

Using the American system, I was at 8.5% last April. 5.9% 3 months later. 5.2% 3 months later, and 5.2% 3 months after that. No meds, just a total change in diet. I didn't go full keto, but very low carb. Probably around 40 to 50 carbs a day. Lost 30 pounds. I now eat around 80 carbs a day on average.

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Very impressive. Thanks